Hand-car



(No Model.)

J. M. TAFTl HAND GAR.

No. 495,529. Patented Apr. 18', 1893.`

f WIL--.

UNITED STATES vPATENT OFFICE.

JAMES M. TAFT, OF SOUTH HEART, NORTH DAKOTA.

HAND-CAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 495,529, dated April 18, 1893. Application iiled July 16, 1892. Serial No. 440,236. (No model.)

ings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon,l which form a part of this specificatlon.

My invention relates to an improvement in .that class of hand cars used more particularly for one or two passengers although it may be used in other ways.

My object is to provide means for effecting greater speed and to construct the arrange` ment so that it will be light and durable.

To this end my invention consists of certain novel features and combinations of parts more fully described hereinafter and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings which illustrate my invention: Figure 1 represents a longitudinal section of my invention; Fig. 2, an end elevation; Fig. 3, a detail View of the tension device for keeping the sprocket chain employed taut; Fig. 4, a detached View of the operating lever. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of thepin for holding the lever in place.

The reference letter a represents the fram ework of my improved machine, having the lateral extending cross-pieces b, and arched portion c. The cross-pieces b have formed integral therewith, bearing boxes d, in which the axles c and c are journaled. portion c of the frame a., is formed preferably of metal and is arched to secure greater strength and rigidness. Extending longitudinally with the portion c, directly under the top of its arch, is a brace or girder f, which serves the double purpose of strengthening the arch and holding in place the leversocket g. This socket is secured to the under side of the arch c, and has formed in it on each side aseries of holes h. These holes The arched are formed with a large circular portion h arm 71,2 projecting downwardly from it.

The operating lever 1f is adapted to iit into and extend through the socket g, and is fulcrumed therein by means of the pins j which project through the openings lo formed in the lever and the openings h in the socket. Each of these holes 7c and h are the same in number and shape and register with each other. The pinj has formed on one end, integral therewith, an extension j which registers with the arm h2 of openings h` and 7c. This extension is after the pin has been inserted in place thrown around opposite the arm h2 by means of the weighted arm y2 which movement securely locks the pin in place. The holes k and h are located in vertical lines in their respective places and by changing the pinj from 'one to another the leverage of the lever o) may be changed to snit the exgencies of the occasion. It will also be noticed that by arranging a series of holes in both socket and lever that the distance which the latter is raised or lowered may be regulated with greater facility.

Rigidly fixed to each ofthe axles e and e is a stationary ratchet, clutch member Il, which is adapted to operate in conjunction with the loose member m. To this member fm, is rigidly secured a sprocket wheel n, and theloose member is held in engagement with the member Z by means of a coil spring o bearing against Va rigid collar p, all of which are secured to the axles, as shown in the drawings. Working over the sprocket wheels n. n, is a sprocket chain q which has its ends adjustably secured to the lower end of the operating lever i, by means of the arrangement illustrated by Fig. 3. This attachment is used for taking up the slack in the sprocket chain q, or for keeping it the desired tension, and consists of a clevis r,secured to the lower end of lever 1I by means of a pin r. The shank ates with an internally threaded hook r3, to which one end of the sprocket chain is secured. By turning the hook r3 it follows that the hook will be advanced toward the lever or moved away from it, which will increase said circular portion having an extension or or bolt r2 of the clevis is threaded and oper- 9 5 IOO or decrease the tension of the sprocket chain. The remaining end of the chain gis securely fastened to the other side ot' the lever i.

An idler sprocket wheel S is journaled in one end of the frame a, over which idler the chain q is passed. By changing the chain so that it will pass above or below the sprocket wheel nearest to the idler s, the direction in which said wheel is rotated maybe changed, thus allowing both axles to be worked in unison or alternately.

Adjustably securedto the arch e by means of the link t are the seats u. secured in place by means of pins t3 and a series of holes t. By this means the seats may be moved to or from the lever c', to suit the convenience of the operator. Depending from the under side of these seats are braces or props u which have their free ends seated in the notches formed in the blocks o. This arrangement allows the incline of the seats to bev adjusted also. The lever is operated by means ofthe foot rests or spurs w at its lower end and cross pieces at its top, the latter servingy as handles to be grasped by the operator.

Infusing my improvelnent, the operator or operators areseated opposite each othervon the seats u, and bymeans ofthe foot rests w, and the handles the lever t' is made to 0S- cillate,whicl1 will through the medium of the sprocket chain q, impart an intermediate rotary motion lto the loose clutch members, thereby rotatingA the axles and their Wheels.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a hand car, the combination of a rocking lever, a sprocket chain attached thereto, and clutches secured to the car axles and operated by the sprocket chain, substantially as described.

2. In ahand car,the combination of a rocking lever, an adjustable fulcra therefor, a Sprocket chain attached to the lever and clutches secured to the car axles and operated by the sprocket chain, substantially as described.

3. In a hand car, the combination ofa rockying lever, a sprocket chain attached thereto and ratchet clutches secured to the car axles and operated by the sprocket chain, substantially as described.

The links tare Il. In a hand car, the combination ofa frame, an arch fixed thereto, a lever having its fulcrum in thearch, a sprocket chain andclutches, substantially as described.

5. In a hand car, the combination of a frame, an arch secured thereto, one or more seats secured to the arch, a lever fulcrumed on the arch, a sprocket chain and clutches, substantially as described.

6. In a hand car, thecombination of a lever, a sprocket chain attached thereto, a tension device on the sprocket chain and one or more clutches operated by said sprocket chain, substantially as described.

7. In a hand car, the combination of a lever, a clevis secured to the lower end of said lever, a threaded shank on the clevis, a hook Working on the threaded shank, a sprocket cham i one end attached to the hook and one or more clutches operated by the chain, substantially as described.

S. In a hand car, the combination of a frame, one or more'seats pivoted thereto, a brace under each seat, and blocks located at a point below the seats and having an inclined series of notches formed in them by Whichthe tree ends of the braces are held in place,fsubstan tially as described.

9. In a hand car, the combination of a lever, av sprocket chain attached thereto, 'clutches operated by the sprocket chain and an id ler sprocket Wheel operating in conJ unction wlth one of the clutches, substantially as described.

lO. In a hand car, the combination of a lever, a-sprocket chain, a rigid ratchet clutch member fixed to the car axle, aloose member located on the axle adjacent to the fixed one over which member the sprocket chain Works and a spring and collar for holding the two clutch members in engagement, substantially as described.

11. In a hand ear, the combination of a rocking lever, a sprocket chain havingits ends attached thereto, and clutches operatedbythe sprocket chain which is adapted to reciprocate over them, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I atlix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES M. TAFT.

IOO 

